Valve controlled rotary hopper bag filling machine and method



Aprii l, 1947. u s 2,418,263

VALVE CONTROLLED ROTARY HOPPER BAG FILLING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Dec. 7, 1945 s sheets-sheet 1 23 INVENTOR.

Gsakqe L. Honsr.

G. L. H'URST April I, 1947.

VALVE CONTROLLED ROTARY-HOPPER BAG FILLING MACHINE AND METHOD Filed Dec. 7, 194-3 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GEORGE L. HwPsr fiframvew'.

G. L. HURST April 1, 1947.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 7, 1943 m MN V a v m4 7 M M R m 6 3 E v G 6 Y. 4 W in- Ill l IIIIL IIIIIII I w M M 5 ca 2 HI, 4 5 7 0 .ivZ N 7 j 4 J 5 a E Patented Apr. 1, 1947 VALVE CONTROLLED ROTARY HOPPER BAG FILLING MACHINE AND METHOD George L. Hurst, San Francisco, Calif. Application December 7, 1943, Serial No. 513,223

This invention relates to a sacking machine, and has for one of its objects a machine that will function to automatically and uniformly load sacks with flowable material such as rice, grain, and that will automatically deliver sacks so .loaded onto a conveyor, platform, or to a conventional'sack-sewing machine.

Another object is the provision of improved means in a sacking machine for supplying a uniform amount of material such as rice, grain, etc., to each of the sacks including a simple structure for quickly and accurately varying the amount.

so supplied.

Claims. (Cl. 226-61) A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved sacking machine that may be operated with the minimum of labor and attention for more rapidly filling sacks than heretofore.

Heretofore the filling of rice sacks or grain sacks with rice, grain, or the like, preparatory to their being sewed shut by a conventional sacksewing machine has been a relatively slow and expensive procedure. According to the usual method, a workman is positioned at each of a number of filling stations where he may manually hold the sack during filling thereof from the discharge conduit, chute, or the like, of a hopper, which conduit is provided with a gate that is manually controlled by the operator. The operator may intermittently jolt thesack to insure a reasonably compact fill of material therein, and after each sack is filled he delivers it onto a conveyor for delivery by the latter to the sewing machine. Each operator may fill about 100 sacks per hour, although there usually is considerable variation in the amount of rice, grain, or the like, in each sack.

With my machine an operator merely fits the mouth of each sack over a holder as the latter moves by the operator and as soon as the sack is sofitted he pulls a lever that is associated with the frame and the sack is locked to the frame substantially simultaneously with the opening of a feed hopper. for discharge of its Other objects and advantages will appear in the description and drawings annexed hereto.

In the drawings: 1

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sacking machine illustrative of my invention. A sewing machine is diagrammatically indicated in this view and other features therein are semi-diagrammatically illustrated. N

Fig. 2 is an enlarged part sectional, part plan View of one of the sack holding frames and feed gates indicated in plan view in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the structure and elements shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a part sectional, part end elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 3.

'Fig. 5 is a semidiagrammatic, simplified side elevational view of the sacking machine of Fig. 1 as seen from the side thereof from which a'filled sack is discharged. Only one of the sack-holding frames and elements associated is illustrated complete so as to avoid confusion in the drawing.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the variable control means for controlling the amount of rice, grain, etc., that is to be discharged into each sack.

In detail, the sacking machine illustrated in the drawings comprises a garner bin l or any.

other source of supply for any fiowable material such as rice, grain, etc. A downwardly extending spout 2 from bin I has its discharge and directed downwardly into a revolving, vertically disposed, cylindrical drum 3 that is supported on a central vertical shaft 3 for revolving about the axis of the latter.

The bottom ii of drum 3 is conical with its apex uppermost and concentric with said shaft t, the latter extending throughsaid bottom at said apex to a bearing on a top crossframe memher 6 of a rectangular top frame 1. Vertical legs .8 (Fig. 5) are provided for said top frame and a bearing 9 supports the lower endof shaft 4 on the floor or below bottom 5.

The interior of drum 3 is divided into a plurality of identical hoppers Hi (Fig. l) by similar, equally spaced, vertical partitions H extending radially of the drum axis and from shaft 4 to the cylindrical drum walls and to bottom 5. The drum 3 provides the outer wall for each hopper it andthe bottom 5 provides the bottom Wall.

The discharge end of spout 2 is ofiset to one side of the shaft 4 about midway between the shaft 5 and drum? and is directed downwardly with its free edges in a horizontal plane. Partitions l I extend upwardly to a point about level with the upper edges of the drum 3, and the 3 spout clears the partitions so that the drum may revolve while material flows into the hoppers as they successively pass beneath the spout.

The walls of each hopper ill (which wall is part of drum 3) is provided with an opening it (Fig. 4) centrally between each adjacent pair of partitions H, which opening extends upwardly from adjacent the lower edge of bottom 5, and the slant of bottom 5 is such that each hopper will be cleared of its contents by flow of said contents by gravity through each opening when each of the latter is opened.

In Fig. 1 six partitions ii are shown, thus dividing the drum into 8 hoppers, but it is obvious that any desired number more or less than six may be provided. In Fig. 2 a plan and part sectional view of the structure adjacent each opening in wall 5 is disclosed. It is understood that each of the six similarly appearing structures in Fig. 1 is identical with that shown in Fig. 2, and in Figs. 3 and 4, the latter being a side and end View of the structure of Fig. 2.

A vertically slidable gateor closure I3 is provided for closing and opening each of the openings l2, such gate being supported at its two opposite lateral edges in grooves or guideways adjacent the two opposite lateral edges of opening I? for sliding downwardly from an open position to closed position and vice versa.

Secured to each gate 13 (Fig. 4) adjacent its upper edge and centrally between its side edges is a plate l4 that is adapted to engage a stop member 15 on wall t'when the gate it is in elevated open position fully uncovering the opening 82. This plate M carries a shaft iii projecting outwardly therefrom relative to the drum and radially of the drum axis. The shaft it supports a roller l l rotatable thereon adjacent plate Id, and a pair of toggle links l8, I9 (Fig. 3,) are connected at their adjacent endsto the outer end of said shaft. Links l8, l9 extend substantially horizontally from shaft l6 when gate I3 is in elevated open position, and they are pivotally secured at their outer ends by pivots 20 to the upper ends of a pair of generally vertically extending arms 2!. The arms 2! are pivotally supported intermediate their ends by pivots 2! to the sides of yoke members 22, the said arms being between each pair of said members as seen in Fig. 2.

The members 22 are secured to two oppOsed side walls 24 extending at right angles to a deflector plate or shield 23. These sides are formed with flanges .25 along one of their edges for securement to drum 3 along two opposite lateral edges of each opening 12, and said sides support the main deflector plate 23 in spaced relation to said drum outwardly of said opening and in a position extending over the same. Thus the contents of each hopper it? will be deflected downwardly by plate 23 when such contents is discharged through opening I 2, and the sides 24 will function to prevent spilling of such contents laterally.

The toggle link 59 of each pair is provided with an extension 25 that extends slantingl downwardly relative to horizontal when said links are about horizontal and the gate Isis open, as seen in Fig. 3.

The lower part of each arm 2! that projects below .each pivot 2|" preferably extends angularly outwardly in an inclined direction away from the side 24 that is. adjacent thereto (Fig. 3 and the outer end of each such lower part carries a, fiat leaf spring 21 that projects vertically downward- 1y therefrom. The lower end of each spring 21 carries a generally U-shaped clamping element 28 and each such element is adapted to engage one of the two opposite ends of a centrally open horizontally elongated frame 29. Each frame 29 may be formed from a strip of metal and along the lower edge of each frame is formed an out wardly projecting bead or ridge So that extends just below the clamping members 28.

Each frame 29 is adapted to fit within the upper open end of a conventional fabric sack, such as a rice or grain sack, and when the clamping elements 28 are swung to yielda-bly grip the sack between the ends of frame 29 and said elements at points above said ridge 39, the sack will support a full load from one of hoppers I3 therein without slipping from the frame 29 (Fig. 3).

In operation the drum 3 is rotated by means of a motor 3! that is connected with the drum by suitable gears and chains or belts and the like, generally indicated at 32 (Fig. l). The arrow in Fig. 1 indicates the direction of rotation of said drum. At point or station A the clamping members 28 are in the dotted line position indicated at 33 in Fig.3 and the gate i3 is closed. Handle 23, roller ll, and toggle links l8, I9 are also in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 3.

Station A is the point where an operator slips the mouth of a sack 34 (indicated in dot-dash line in Fig. 3) over frame 29 while the latter moves past him, and also pulls down lever 26 from its dotted position 35 (Fig. 3) to its full line position; thus clamping the sack to the frame and opening gate 53 at the same time. The springs 27 are under some tension when the clamping elements 233 are in sack clamping position and pivot It may move upwardly just past dead center in which links l8, 19 are in horizontal alignment, thus securely holding said elements 28 in clamping position until positively released by a force moving the adjacent ends of the toggle links downwardly. Also gate it is held open until such downward movement. The ridge (ill on frame 29 functions somewhat as a snubber to prevent. slippage of the sack on frame 25: when the latterv is being'filled and vibrated.

Immediately upon opening the gate [3 the material in the hopper it that carries said gate and said sack will commence flowing into the sack. It is pertinent to note that said hopper at this time has passed beyond the discharge spout 2. I

As the sack is carried by the turret drum 3 in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 1) it slidably engages a'vibrator 36 that may engage a side and bottom of the sack. This vibrator is in the form of a curved plate that is connected by a link 31 with an eccentric or crank secured on a shaft 38, the latter being revolved by any suitable source of power, such as a motor 39 (Figs. 1,5). Thus the sack is vibrated during part of its travel after gate 53 has been opened and the contents of hopper it carrying said sack has partially or fully been discharged into such sack.

After the sack is carried past the vibrator 3.6 the roller or wheel ll engages a generally U- shaped cam-track at (Fig. 5'). that may be rigidly secured to posts ll that in turn are depending from an upper cross-frame member 52,. The latter is shown partially broken away inFig. 1.-

As the roller passes under cam-track 40 in engagement with the latter, it is forced downward- 1y, thus moving gate it to closed position and swinging the clamps away from the sack where-I upon the latter is dropped onto conveyor 4-5 for movement away from the sacking machine and end of p past a conventional sack-sewing machine 46 that sews the mouth of the sack closed. Spaced guide bars 4'! above conveyor 45 support the filled sack on the latter against toppling over. The filled sack is indicated in dot-dash line 3 3 in Fig. 5.

The closing of gate l3 and the dropping of filled sack 34 from frame 29 occurs substantially simultaneously and just before the hopper II that has carried said sack, moves to below the discharge end of spout '2.

The spout 2 includes at its outer end a tubular extension 50 that is telescopically fitted on the main spout for axial movement relative to the latter. This extension 50 carries the discharge end for material passing through spout 2 and the edges of the extension defining the discharge opening are in a common horizontal plane (Fig. 6)..

In operation, said spout 2 and extension 50 are preferably open at all times during operation of the sacking machine. Assuming rice is being sacked, such rice flows into the hopper [*3 almost immediately after gate !3 has been closed due to the engagement between the roller H and cam track til. Before said hopper Illmoves from under the discharge end of extension 50 as indicated by clot-dash lines 5! (Fig. 6) so that the edges of the body of rice in each hopper iii that passes said extension will be considerably below the upper edges of each partition 5! and drum 3 when the extension is adjusted so that its discharge end just clears said partitions.

Extension 50 carries a rack 52, the teeth of which are in mesh with those of a gear 53. Gear 53 may be secured on a rotatable shaft 54 that in turn carries a gear 55 in mesh with a worm 56, the latter being secured to a rotatable shaft 5'! having a Wheel 58 for manually rotating the same (Figs. 1, 5). By rotating shaft 5'! in one direction the operator may cause the extension 50 to be retracted on spout 2 until its discharge end may be at the level indicated by dot-dash line '50 (Fig. 6) in which position the slope of the rice in hopper ID will be coincident with dot-dash line El, and an appreciably greater quantity of rice will be in the hopper than when the extension was in its lowered position. The extension 50 will automatically remain in any adjusted position due to the gear-worm connection 55, 56, and an extremely accurate control of the amount of rice, grain, or any other similarly flowable material that is to be discharged into the sacks may be obtained. This is quite an important feature of the invention inasmuch as one of the most desired results in sacking material such as rice and grain is to obtain a uniform amount of such material in each sack. The adjustment provides convenient and accurate means for controlling the contents of each hopper beyond a certain minimum volume both as to volume and weight.

It is to be understood that the drawings are illustrative and not restrictive of the invention since it is obvious that certain structure can be modified or changed without changing the in vention.

Having described my invention, Iclaim:

l. The method of filling sacks with rice and the like that comprises the steps of; continuously moving a plurality of feed hoppers along a common path of travel, successively filling said hoppers to a predetermined level at a point in said path, suspending a sack vertical with its mouth open adjacent each of said hoppers for movement l therewith as each hopper is filled, then discharging the contents of each such hopper into the sack during movement of the hoppers in said path, and thereafter releasing each sack for movement thereof away from said common path and so moving each released sack.

2. The method of filling sacks with rice and the like that comprises the steps of; continuously moving a plurality of feed hoppers along an annular path of travel, successively filling said hoppers to a predetermined level at a point in said path, then'suspending a sack vertical'from each hopper so filled for movement therewith and simultaneously with such suspension opening the hopper for discharge of its contents into the sack suspended therefrom, thereafter closing each hopper and simultaneously therewith releasing the sack suspended therefrom before each hopper reaches said point.

3. A sacking machine of the character described comprising a plurality of feed hoppers arranged in a row, means supporting said hoppers for movement in a circular path, means for simultaneously so moving said hoppers, a discharge opening formed in the lower portion of each hopper for discharging material therefrom, a movable closure for each of said openings, a support for a sack adjacent each opening secured to each hopper for movement therewith, means for filling each hopper to a predetermined level, means for moving said closures from over said openings to permit discharge of the contents of each hopper into the sack adjacent each of said openings, means for automatically moving each closure to a position closing each opening after the contents of each hopper has been discharged int th sack adjacent thereto and during said movement of said hoppers.

l. A sacking machine of the character described comprising a plurality of feed hoppers arranged in a row, means supporting said hoppers for movement in a circular path, means for simultaneously so moving said hoppers, a discharge opening formed in the lower portion of each hopper for discharging material therefrom, a movable closure for each of said openings, a support for a sack adjacent each opening secured to each hopper for movement therewith, means for filling each hopper to a predetermined level, means for moving said closures from over said openings to permit discharge of the contents of each hopper into the sack adjacent each of said openings, means for automatically moving each closure to a position closing each opening after the contents of each hopper has been discharged into the sack. adjacent thereto and during said movement of said hoppers, each of said supports including a vertically open frame secured to each hopper adapted to fit within the mouth of each sack and members releasably securing the mouth of each sack to each of said frames.

5. A sacking machine of the character described oomprising a plurality of feed hoppers arranged in a row, means supporting said h-o-ppers for movement in a circular path, means for simultaneously so moving said hoppers, a discharge opening formed in the lower portion of each hopper for discharging material therefrom,

a movable closure for each of said openings, a

support for a sack adjacent each opening secured to each hopper for movement therewith.

means for filling each hopper to a predetermined level, means for moving said closures from over said openings to permit discharge of the contents'of each hopper into the sack adjacent-each amazes '01 :said opening, :means for "automatically movingeach-closure to a position closing each opening after the contents of each hopper has been :discharged into the sack adjacent thereto and during said movement of said hoppers, the said :means'fo-r filling each hopper comprising a source ofisupply of material for said hoppers, a spout in the form of a tube extending from said source toa point over the said hoppers when they are moved. longitudinally of said row, the upper sides ,of said hoppers being open for receiving such material from said tube as the hoppers are so moved past said tube.

6. A sacking machine of the character described comprising a plurality of feed hoppers :arranged in a row, means supporting said hoppersifor movement in a circular path, means for simultaneously so moving said hoppers, a discharge opening formed in the lower portion of each hopper for discharging material therefrom, .amovable closure for each of said openings, a support for a sack adjacent each opening secured to each hopper for movement therewith, means for filling each hopper to a predetermined level, means for moving said closures from over .said openings to permit discharge of the contentsof each hopper into the sack adjacent each of said openings, means for automatically movingeach closure'toa position closing each open- ;ing after the contents of each hopper has been discharged into the sack adjacent thereto and during said movement of said hoppers, the side walls'of said hoppers being sections of a single vertically disposed drum provided with radially extending partition-5 therein separating adjacent hoppers, and the bottom walls of said hoppers being sections of a conical member extending from the lower edges of said drum upwardly toward the central axis of the latter whereby the material in each hopper will slide on the bottom thereof to the section of the drum forming one .of the lateral side walls thereof, and each of said-openings being formed in each of said latter section's.

7. A sacking machine of the character described comprising; a horizontally disposed annular row of upwardly opening feed hoppers supported -for movement in a circular path, a discharge opening formed in the radially outwardly facing side of each of said hoppers, a closure :for each of said openings movable from a position closing each of the latter to a position open- ,ing the same and vice versa, a source of material for said hoppers including a stationary discharge spout opening downwardly at a point over :the said row for discharging such material into the said hoppers as they move past said spout, movable members for releasably securing the mouth end of a sack to each hopper in a position adjacent each of said openings for receiving the contents of each hopper when the said closures are opened, means connecting said members and :said closures for simultaneous movement thereof for releasing said sacks and closing said openings respectively, ,means'for moving said hoppers simultaneously in said one direction.

8. A sacking machine of the character described comprising; a horizontally disposed an- ;nular .row of upwardly opening feed hoppers supported for movement in a circular path, a dis- -;said hoppers including a stationary discharge :spout opening downwardly at a point over the said row for discharging such material into the said hoppers as they move past said spout, movable members for releasably securing the'mouth end of asack to each hopper in a'position adjacent each ofsaid openings for receiving the contents of each hopper when the said closures are opened, means connecting said members and said closures for simultaneous movement thereof for releasing said sacks and closing said openings respectively, means for moving-said hoppers simultaneously in said one direction, and means at a fixed point adjacent said row for causing said last mentioned movement of said members and closures as thesaid members and closures arrive at said point during their movement around said axis with said hoppers, said members and said closures being carried by said hoppers'formovement with the latter.

9. A sacking machine of the character :described comprising; a horizontally disposed annular row of upwardly opening feed hoppers supported for movement in a circular path, a discharge opening formed in the radially outwardly facing side of each of said hoppers, a closure for each of said openings movable frorna position closing each of the latter to a position opening the same and vice versa, a source of material for said hoppers including a stationary discharge spout opening downwardly at a point over the said row for discharging such material into the said hoppers as they move past said spout, movable members for releasably securing the mouth end of a sack to each hopper in a position adjacent each of said openings for receiving the contents of each hopper when the said closuresare opened, means connecting said members and said closures for simultaneous movement thereof forreleasing said sacks and closing saidopenings respectively, means for moving said hopper simultaneously in said one direction, a centrally open frame secured to each hopper adjacent the said discharge opening in the latter arranged and adapted tofit within the mouth of each sack, and means supporting said members for movement from a position adapted to clamp said 'mouth'to said frame at spaced points on the latter to a position releasing said mouth from said frame.

10. A sacking machine of the character described comprising; a horizontally disposed annular row of upwardly opening feed'hoppers supported for movement in a circular path, a discharge opening, formed in the radially outwardly iacing side of each of said hoppers, a closure for each of said openings movable from aposition closing each of the latter to a position opening the same and vice versa, a source of material for said hoppers including a'stationary discharge spout opening downwardly at a point over the'said row for discharging such material into the said hoppers as theyimove past said spout, movable members for releasably securing the mouth end of a ing saidmembers for movement from a position members into clampin relation with said mouth 5 and frame.

The following references are of record in the 10 GEORGE L. HURST.

REFERENCES CITED file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Nickerson Feb. 21, 1899 15 Gerbracht et a1. Oct. .2, 1900 Number 10 Name Date Callahan Oct. 2, 1928 Hirschhorn et a1. Sept. 24, 1935 Briggs Sept. 15, 1936 Cundall et a1 Nov. 2, 1937 Nickerson Aug. 16, 1904 Bracy Jan. 19, 1915 Hutchinson July 25, 1933 Russell Nov. 6, 1934 Talkington Feb. 20, 1940 McGregor Aug. 11, 1925 Reuther June 8, 1926 Guiterman Mar. 5, 1901 Briggs Sept. 15, 1936 Anderson May 15, 1945 

